"Exhilarating torrid Reconstruction Era romance"

In 1863 as the War Between the States seems increasingly bleaker for the south, Confederacy Lieutenant Morgan Evans goes undercover in his hometown of Memphis. Though he thinks he has a solid masquerade, iron magnolia Jessamyn Tyler finds her childhood friend's behavior odd and assumes he is spying. She captures him more to keep him safe than any other reason, ties him to her bed, and though she knows better ends up making love with her imprisoned pal. Afterward humiliated with how she controlled and seduced him in and out of bed before dumping him, he vows one day to make her beg with desire and need.

Years later in 1872 Colorado, Jessamyn accompanies her spouse Cyrus Evans, Morgan's cousin, when he finally catches up with the woman who has haunted him since she took him during the Civil War. Though he is attracted to her and feels he owes her, Morgan would do nothing to hurt Cyrus so his vow is an empty pledge. That is until his cousin is killed and Morgan pleads with him to help her find the hidden family gold.

This is an exhilarating torrid Reconstruction Era romance with a bit of late action (the treasure hunt). The story line is fast-paced in both 1863 and 1872 especially when the gender war between Morgan and Jessamyn occurs. The lead couple will enjoy their battles as he is a solid southern gentleman with an agenda when it comes to her and she believes he is THE SOUTHERN DEVIL she must avoid.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted August 25, 2006

Summary

Even a perfect gentleman has a little devil in him.

Once a starving Confederate war veteran, Morgan Evans is now a wealthy man respected for both his business acumen and his chivalrous Southern manners. He would be the perfect catch for any woman, but only one holds his constant attention. Jessamyn Tyler Evans has been his obsession since the time she derailed one of his spy missions by holding him hostage in her bed for days. Her innocent explorations awakened a fierce hunger inside the young Morgan, and the passion and intimacy they shared frightened them both. Jessamyn spurned Morgan for his cousin, and Morgan vowed that someday he would drive her as wild with desire as she had driven him. Now Jessamyn has returned. The payback has begun...

Jessamyn has an obsession of her own: hunting for a legendary family treasure in the hills of Colorado. To do so, the spirited widow needs a husband, and Morgan Evans is only too happy to join her masquerade...for a price: she must submit to being his, body and soul, surrendering herself to whatever he demands. It's a devil's bargain to be sure.

Their union is as treacherous as it is passionate—and the only thing they can trust. Searching for a treasure that may not exist—a treasure others would kill for—two lovers are moving deeper into unmarked territory, where no threat is more perilous than everything they feel...